Hodebertia testalis (Fabricius, 1794) is a medium sized moth comes under the family Crambidae and subfamily Spilomelinae. It is widespread in Africa, Australia, Southern Europe, Tropical and subtropical Asia. Morphological characterization play a significant role in identification and classification of insects. In the current study, taxonomy of Hodebertia testalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera) collected from medicinal plant Calotropis procera (Apocynaceae) was examined. The morphological characters viz., antenna, labial palpi, wing venation and adult genitalia were studied. Valva has three fibula of which one is prominent and sickle shaped in male genitalia. Corpus bursae is globose, membranous with no signum in female genitalia.

Hodebertia testalis (Fabricius, 1794), medicinal plant, adult characters, Coimbatore

This study has given information on the adult morphological characters of Hodebertia testalis (Fabricius, 1794). Adult identification characters confirmed based on the presence of coremata, dagger hilt - like uncus, fibula in inner side of tegumen, and absence of cornuti in aedeagus of male genitalia whereas in female genitalia the segment 8 is of well sclerotized and signum is absent in globular corpus bursae.

Padmashree S., N. Chitra, T. Elaiyabharathi, L. Nalina and K. Sivasubramanian (2023). Characterization of adults of Hodebertia testalis (Fabricius, 1794) (Crambidae: Lepidoptera). Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(7): 389-392.